It reminded her of their first forlorn tete-a-tete, on the evening of Mrs.Weston's wedding-day; but Mr.Knightley had walked in then, soon after tea, and dissipated every melancholy fancy.

Alas! such delightful proofs of Hartfield's attraction, as those sort of visits conveyed, might shortly be over.

The picture which she had then drawn of the privations of the approaching winter, had proved erroneous; no friends had deserted them, no pleasures had been lost .-- But her present forebodings she feared would experience no similar contradiction.

The prospect before her now, was threatening to a degree that could not be entirely dispelled--that might not be even partially brightened.

If all took place that might take place among the circle of her friends, Hartfield must be comparatively deserted; and she left to cheer her father with the spirits only of ruined happiness.
The child to be born at Randalls must be a tie there even dearer than herself; and Mrs.Weston's heart and time would be occupied by it.
They should lose her; and, probably, in great measure, her husband also .-- Frank Churchill would return among them no more; and Miss Fairfax, it was reasonable to suppose, would soon cease to belong to Highbury.